Azalea Plant named &#39;MNIHAR028&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of azalea plant with spring and fall blooming, attractive, showy, single red flowers, easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer, moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions; compact, uprightly rounded and freely-branching growth habit, grows well in containers, thrives in shade or sun and is hardy to Zone 7, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rhododendron sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MNIHAR028’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of evergreen azaleain the genus Rhododendron. This new azalea, hereinafter referred to as‘MNIHAR028’, originated from a planned cross hybridization in acontrolled environment in Lawrenceville, Ga. The parental records of‘MNIHAR028’ are unavailable. The present invention has a blooming periodof late March until mid April and late August until frost. ‘MNIHAR028’has a compact, uprightly rounded freely branching growth habit, and coldhardiness.

The new plant was first propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in 2007 inDearing, Ga. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly bysemi-hardwood cuttings in Dearing, Ga. for over 5 years, threegenerations. ‘MNIHAR028’ has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive asexual propagations viasemi-hardwood cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘MNIHAR028’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than oneyear prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Dearing, Ga.

1. Spring and fall blooming;

2. Attractive, showy, red colored flowers;

3. Numerous single flowers;

4. Easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring throughsummer;

5. Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moistureconditions;

6. Compact, uprightly rounded freely branching growth habit;

7. Grows well in containers;

8. Thrives in shade or sun; and

9. Hardy to Zone 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtainedby conventional photographic means. The photographs are of four-year-oldplants grown in filtered shade and full sun in 2009 and 2011 in Dearing,Ga.

FIG. 1 shows a cloe-up of mature foliage and flower buds.

FIG. 2 shows mature foliage and growth habit and fall flowering.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the flower buds and new growth.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the flower size, form, and color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new azalea variety basedon observations made of two and three-year-old plants grown in trade andthree-gallon containers according to wholesale commercial productionconditions, under full-sun and in an evaluation bed under semi-shadeconditions in Dearing, Ga. in the spring, summer, and fall seasons of2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. The colors of the various plant partsare detailed with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (2001).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Ericaceae.        -   Species.—Rhododendron sp.        -   Common name.—Azalea.        -   Denomination.—‘MNIHAR028’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Unknown.        -   Male parent.—Unknown.-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Compact, uprightly rounded.        -   Texture.—Medium.        -   Height (at maturity).—91.44 cm to 121.92 cm.        -   Width (at maturity).—121.92 cm to 152.4 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Freely branching; compact, uprightly rounded.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization            and moisture conditions. In a period of 6 years from a            rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of 78.74 cm and a            spread of 91.44 cm. The growth rate averages about 12.0 cm            per year; the plant reaches a height of 91.44 cm to 121.92            cm at maturity while maintaining a compact, uprightly            rounded habit due to the abundant deliquescent branch            development.        -   Spring growth.—Beginning March 20^(th), followed by            continuous growth through fall.        -   Life cycle.—Perennial evergreen.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.        -   Shape.—Elliptic, oblliptical, and oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Mucronate.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—6.0 cm.        -   Width.—2.2 cm.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; the mid-veins and laterals are            impressed on the upper surface and are prominent on the            lower surface. Color (both upper and lower surface): RHS            146D (yellow-green).        -   Immature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Semi-glossy to matte,            RHS 137B (green) Pubescence: Strigose and scabrous Color:            RHS N155A (white) and RHS 164C (greyed-orange) Lower            surface: Color: Matte, RHS 146B (yellow-green) Pubescence:            Strigose and scabrous Color: RHS N155A (white), RHS 157D            (green-white), and RHS 159A (orange-white).        -   Mature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Glossy, RHS N189A            (greyed-green) Pubescence: Strigose Color: RHS 164A            (greyed-orange), RHS 164B (greyed-orange), and RHS 159A            (orange-white) Lower surface: Color: Matte, RHS 147B            (yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose and scabrous Color: RHS            164A (greyed-orange) and RHS 164B (greyed-orange).        -   Petiole.—Length: 0.95 cm Diameter: 0.2 cm by 0.10 cm Color:            Immature: RHS 145A (yellow-green) Mature: RHS 146D            (yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose Length: 0.15 cm Color:            Immature: RHS 155D (white) Mature: RHS 164A (greyed-orange).-   Stems:    -   -   Form.—Branched at terminal buds with stems from auxiliary            buds at leaf nodes.        -   Young stems (Actively growing, less than one year            old).—Color: RHS N144D (yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose            Color: Begins RHS N155A (white) maturing to RHS 164A            (greyed-orange) Length of fully elongated flush: Average 8.0            cm Diameter: 0.2 cm.        -   Mature stems (one year old and older).—Color: RHS N144C            (yellow-green), RHS N200C (grey-brown), and RHS N199C            (grey-brown) Pubescence: Strigose, quantity decreases with            age of the stem Color: RHS 164A (greyed-orange) Length: 13.0            cm on average for full year's growth Diameter: 0.3 cm in            second year Pith: Solid and uniform Internode length:            Average 1.5 cm on actively growing vegetative stems.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Arrangement and form (at terminal end).—Borne in groups of            two or three, sheathed by one to three modified leaf bracts.        -   Bracts.—Length: Average 1.6 cm Width: 0.3 cm Color: RHS 139A            (green), RHS 146B (yellow-green), and RHS 145B            (yellow-green).        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Length (at tight bud).—1.2 cm.        -   Diameter (at tight bud).—0.7 cm.        -   Scales.—Color: Immature: RHS 145C (yellow-green) Mature: RHS            144C (yellow-green) Length: 1.1 cm Diameter: 0.45 cm            Texture: Matte; sericeous with some ciliate pubescence            Pubescence color: RHS 167C (greyed-orange).        -   Pedicel.—Length: 0.8 cm at point bud begins to open            Diameter: 0.2 cm Color: RHS 145B (yellow-green) with slight            RHS 50A (red) near the base of the calyx Texture: Pubescent,            villous and pilose pubescence Pubescence color: RHS N155A            (white) and RHS167C (greyed-orange).-   Calyx:    -   -   Diameter.—0.6 cm from sepal apex to sepal apex.        -   Color.—RHS 145B (yellow-green).        -   Texture.—Pubescent, pilose, sericeous, and villous            pubescence. Pubescence color: RHS N155A (white).        -   Sepals.—Length: 0.6 cm Diameter: 0.4 cm Quantity: 5.-   Flowers:    -   -   Type.—Perfect, single flowers.        -   Shape.—Open funnel-shaped.        -   Flowering habit and period.—Borne on the current season's            growth; three weeks beginning in late March thru mid April            in Dearing, Ga.; flowering resumes late August and continues            until frost which can be as late as November or December            Lastingness of flowers on the plant 3 to 5 days in the sun;            3 to 6 days in the shade.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.        -   Diameter.—6.5 cm.        -   Depth.—4.0 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Five imbricate            petals that are fused at the base and remain fused 2.0 cm to            3.0 cm from the base Shape: Obovate Apex: Rounded Base:            Fused Margin: Entire, slightly undulate Texture (both upper            and lower surfaces): Glabrous Length (petals without spots):            5.0 cm Length (petals with spots): 5.3 cm Width (petals            without spots): 3.0 cm Width (petals with spots): 32 cm            Color: Upper surface: RHS 45D (red); spots on the lower            surface of the petal are RHS 53A (red) Lower surface: RHS            47B (red) and RHS 48B (red); spots on the lower surface of            the petal are not visible.-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Pistil.—Quantity and form: Single, non-petaloid Length: 5.3            cm Diameter: 0.075 cm.        -   Stigma.—Color: RHS 185A (greyed-purple) Diameter: 0.15 cm.        -   Style color.—RHS 46A (red).        -   Ovary.—Pilose pubescence RHS N155A (white) with 5 locules.            Color: RHS 141A (green).        -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5 per flower; non-petaloid Length:            Average 3.5 cm Width: Average 0.05 cm Color: RHS 48B (red).        -   Anther.—Length: 0.2 cm Width: 0.1 cm Color: RHS 187A            (greyed-purple) Pollen: Abundant Color: RHS 157A            (green-white).-   Fruit and seed: Observed    -   -   Maturity.—The capsule matures in about 6 months in Dearing,            Ga. and the fruit set is moderate and contains about 100 to            200 non-winged seeds.        -   Capsule.—Length: 1.0 cm Width: 0.7 cm Color: RHS 147B            (yellow-green).

CULTURE

‘MNIHAR028’ grows well in a wide range of conditions and tolerates sunto shade. ‘MNIHAR028’ prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich inorganic matter and responds well to mulching and medium applications offertilizer. ‘MNIHAR028’ does best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and ispropagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through thesummer. ‘MNIHAR028’ roots in five to six weeks with a high percentage ofrooting (80% plus). Tissue culture is also an effective means ofpropagation of ‘MNIHAR028’.

DISEASES AND INSECTS

Susceptible to lace bugs, root weevils, and spider mites. Fungal andbacterial pathogens have not been observed, but no resistance testinghas been performed.

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL VARIEITES

In Table 1, ‘MNIHAR028’ is compared to commercial varieties ‘Conleb’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) and ‘Jay Valentine’ (unpatented) which wereused in the same hybridization program from which ‘MNIHAR028’ wasdeveloped.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘MNIHAR028’ ‘Conleb’ ‘Jay Valentine’ Plant Height91.44 cm to 121.92 cm 121.92 cm to 152.4 cm 121.92 cm (Mature) FlowerDiameter 6.5 cm 6.5 cm 6.25 cm to 7.62 cm Flower Form Single Single tosemi-double Single Flower Color Red Red Deep Red Bloom Period Late Marchto mid April and late July until April April and late August frost untilfrost Hardy Zone 7 7 7 Stamen Number 5 0 to 9 5 Stamen Type Non-petaloidPetaloid and non-petaloid Petaloid

When ‘MNIHAR028’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Roblen’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 16,248), ‘MNIHAR028’ has a compact uprightly roundedgrowth habit with a height of 78.74 cm and a spread of 91.44 cm in 6years, while ‘Roblen’ has a height of 91.44 cm and a spread of 60.96 cmin 6 years. Additionally, ‘MNIHAR028’ has single flowers with petalscolored RHS 45D (red) on the upper surface and RHS 47B (red) on thelower surface, whereas ‘Roblen’ has single to semi-double flowers withpetals colored RHS 44C (red).

I claim:
 1. A new variety of azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR028’ as hereinshown and described.